Mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of refill friction stir spot welds

Abstract

Refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) is an innovative solid-state welding technology for aluminum structures. The presented study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of refill spot welds and their failure mechanisms with the use of industrial test standards. The mechanical properties of refill spot welds were compared with those of rivet joints with comparable joint sizes. Static load tests indicated that RFSSW coupons demonstrate higher ultimate shear strengths but slightly lower ultimate tension strengths than those of rivet coupons. Fatigue test results indicated that both RFSSW coupons and rivet coupons demonstrate comparable performances during low-load-level fatigue lap shear tests but RFSSW coupons outperform rivet coupons during high-load-level fatigue lap shear tests. The failure mechanisms of refill spot welds were characterized in terms of external loading, parent metal properties, and weld properties. Refill spot weld failures included parent metal tensile failures, nugget pullouts, and interfacial failures. A refill spot weld may demonstrate one or a combination of these mechanical failures. Although the mechanical tests of refill spot welds demonstrated promising results with predictable failure mechanisms, the metallurgical evolution involved in RFSSW remains a subject to study.